R6

R6 is a 17 acre impoundment of Canby Creek located five miles southwest of Canby in Yellow Medicine County. It is owned by the Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed District. Directions and access to the lake can be obtained from the Stone Hill Park Manager at Del Clark Lake near Canby. R6 provides angling opportunities for black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. These species have fluctuated in abundance since fisheries investigations began in 2000. During 2012 good numbers of largemouth bass and yellow perch were present, however they were somewhat small. There were some large northern pike present. Bluegill and black crappie have been abundant during past investigations, however low numbers were sampled during 2012.

R6 Lake is a small impoundment (17 acres) of Canby Creek located southwest of Canby. Property surrounding the lake is owned by the Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed District. Angling access includes an earthen boat ramp and numerous shoreline areas. Self-sustaining populations of black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch provide angling opportunities.

R6 is small (17 acres) impoundment of Canby Creek located southwest of Canby in Yellow Medicine County. It is owned by the Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed District. It is managed primarily for black crappie, bluegill, and northern pike. Black crappie abundance in 2006 was similar to 2003. However, unlike abundance, size was smaller in 2006. Average weight and length was 0.07 lb. and 4.6 inches. Average size in 2003 was 6 inches and 0.12 lb. Ages one and two (2005 and 2004 year-classes) were the most abundant year-classes, making up 83% of the black crappie aged. No young-of-year black crappie were sampled, indicating a poor year-class for 2006. Bluegill abundance declined since 2003. Size remained similar, with average size in 2006 being 5 inches and 0.1 lb. and average size in 2003 being 4.9 inches and 0.09 lb. Two-year-old (2004 year-class) and four-year-old (2002 year-class) fish made up the majority (81%) of fish aged. No young-of-year bluegill were sampled, indicating a weak 2006 year-class. Yellow perch abundance is up slightly since 2003. Unlike abundance, size and growth declined from 2003 to 2006. Yellow perch averaged 8.6 inches and 0.3 lb. in 2003 whereas average size in 2006 was 6.2 inches and 0.1 lb. Fish from the 2004 (2-years-old) and 2003 (3-years-old) year-classes were 82% of the perch aged. Growth was much below the R6 average. For example, the average length of a three-year-old yellow perch in R6 is 8.1 inches compared to 6.3 inches observed in 2006. The decline in growth is likely due to the increase in the population and more competition for resources. Northern pike abundance was similar to 2003. Pike were large, with an average size of 31.6 inches long and 8.8 lbs. Recruitment appears to be limited in R6. All fish aged were from the 2001 year-class (5-years-old) and no young-of-year northern pike were sampled during this survey or in 2003. Flooded vegetation is a primary spawning location for northern pike, and the previous years of dry weather have likely reduced its availability for pike reproduction. Adult largemouth bass were stocked in 1994 and 1995 but were not sampled during the 2000 or 2003 assessment. The unsuccessful result of these stockings was attributed to a drawdown event conducted in 1996. In May 2005, 12 adult largemouth bass were again stocked into R6. This resulted in a successful production of many young-of-year largemouth bass. Spring electrofishing sampled 678 largemouth bass per hour. All of these bass were from the 2005 year-class and had a mean length of 6.3 inches. The addition of this predator will hopefully increase the size and growth of the panfish species in R6. White sucker were also sampled in low abundance. Future management activities for R6 include fish stocking as needed, ice-fishing pressure counts, winter dissolved oxygen monitoring, and a resurvey in 2009.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch in R6. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for R6. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

R6 has a maximum depth of 14 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in R6 is from 2012. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

No invasive species are on record for R6 in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.